2018 Arizona's 8th congressional district special election explained

Election Name:	2018 Arizona's 8th congressional district special election
Country:	Arizona
Type:	by-election
Previous Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona#District 8
Previous Year:	2016
Election Date:	April 24, 2018
Turnout:	40.43%
Next Election:	2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona#District 8
Next Year:	November 2018
Seats For Election:	Arizona's 8th congressional district
Image1:	File:Debbie Lesko, official portrait, 115th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Debbie Lesko
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	96,012
Percentage1:	52.37%
Nominee2:	Hiral Tipirneni
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	87,331
Percentage2:	47.63%
Map Size:	270px
U.S. Representative
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Debbie Lesko
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

A special election for Arizona's 8th congressional district was held in 2018 subsequent to the resignation of Republican U.S. Representative Trent Franks. Governor Doug Ducey called a special primary election for Tuesday, February 27, 2018, and a special general election for the balance of Franks' eighth term for Tuesday, April 24, 2018.^{[1] [2]}

Republican nominee and former Arizona Senate president pro tem Debbie Lesko won a closer-than-expected race against Democratic challenger Hiral Tipirneni.

Background

Incumbent representative Trent Franks announced on December 7, 2017, that he would resign effective January 31, 2018, after admitting allegations regarding the issue of surrogacy. However, after his wife was hospitalized, Franks resigned effective December 8, 2017.^[3]

Candidates must file nomination forms and petitions within 30 days of the governor's proclamation. Candidates in special congressional elections in Arizona must collect a number of valid signatures equal to at least one-fourth of 1% of the number of qualified signers in the district. For the 2018 special election, a Democratic candidate requires 665 signatures, a Green candidate requires 392 signatures, a Libertarian candidate requires 401 signatures, a Republican candidate requires 860 signatures, and an independent candidate requires 4,680 signatures.^[4]

It was initially thought that Arizona's resign-to-run law would have required sitting members of the Arizona Legislature to resign their seats in order to run in the special election. Arizona's resign-to-run law does not require someone to resign if they file to run when they are in the final year of their term. However, the deadline to submit nominating petitions was January 10 and the end of the current term for members of the Arizona Legislature was January 14, 2019.^[5] However, legal advice from the legislature's nonpartisan counsel stated that incumbent state legislators would not be required to resign in order to run in the special election.^[6]

Republican primary

Two of the major candidates in the Republican primary drew controversy late in the campaign. Former state senator Steve Montenegro faced calls to withdraw, including by former governor Jan Brewer, after news articles revealing sexually suggestive text messages between Montenegro and a legislative staffer surfaced.^[7] Additionally, complaints were filed against former state senator Debbie Lesko over her campaign finance records.^[8]

Candidates

Declared

• Chad Allen, health care executive^[9]
• Brenden Dilley, author, entrepreneur and host of Your Voice America^{[10] [11]}
• Stephen Dolgos, independent candidate for Arizona's 8th congressional district in 2012 and 2014
• Debbie Lesko, former state senator^[12]
• Phil Lovas, former state representative, Arizona State Chairman of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, and Regional Advocate for the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy^[13]
• David Lien, teacher and former Willmar, Minnesota council member
• Richard Mack, teacher and former Graham County Sheriff^[14]
• Steve Montenegro, former state senator^[9]
• Bob Stump, former Arizona Corporation Commissioner
• Christopher Sylvester, Navy veteran^[9]
• Clair Van Steenwyk, radio host and candidate for the seat in 2016^[15]
• Mark Yates

Withdrew

• Kevin Cavanaugh, former deputy sheriff^[16]

Declined

• Clint Hickman, Maricopa County Supervisor^[17]
• Kimberly Yee, state senator and candidate for State Treasurer in 2018^{[18] [19]}

Debates

• News: Dan Nowicki . GOP Congress hopefuls try to outdo each other on border security, loyalty to Trump . The Arizona Republic . January 25, 2018 . Includes video of debate, January 24, 2018.

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Debbie Lesko	Phil Lovas	Richard Mack	Steve Montenegro	Bob Stump	Clair Van Steenwyck	Undecided
ABC 15/OH Predictive Insights (R)^[20]	January 29, 2018	400	± 4.9%	align=center	21%	12%	1%	align=center	21%	10%	5%	align=center	24%
Remington Research (R-Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC)^[21]	January 20–21, 2018	787	± 3.5%	22%	–	–	align=center	24%	11%	–	–

with Clint Hickman and Kimberly Yee

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Travis Angry	Clint Hickman	Debbie Lesko	Phil Lovas	Richard Mack	Steve Montenegro	Tony Rivero	Bob Stump	Christopher Sylvester	Kimberly Yee	Undecided
ABC 15/OH Predictive Insights (R)^[22]	December 11, 2017	400	± 4.9%	1%	15%	16%	2%	–	1%	1%	align=center	18%	2%	7%	align=center	37%
Data Orbital (R)^[23]	December 9–11, 2017	400	± 4.9%	–	9%	align=center	15%	2%	3%	4%	–	10%	–	7%	align=center	51%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Hiral Tipirneni, emergency department physician^{[24] [25]}
• Brianna Westbrook, political activist and LGBTQ community leader^[26]

Declined

• Robert Olsen^[9]
• Robert Schuster, Arizona State University student^[9]

Results

Green primary

Candidates

Declared

• Richard Grayson (write-in), candidate in Green Party presidential primary in Arizona in 2012^[9]
• Gary Swing (write-in), Green Party candidate for U.S. Senator in Arizona in 2016^[9]

Each candidate received 13 write-in votes in the primary. Neither was placed on the special election ballot.^[27]

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Declared

• Kelly Noble (write-in)^[28]

The candidate received 22 write-in votes in the primary and was not placed on the special election ballot.^[27]

General election

Republican candidate Debbie Lesko received over $1 million in funding from Republican groups outside the state.^[29]

Candidates

• Debbie Lesko (Republican), former state senator^[30]
• Hiral Tipirneni (Democratic), emergency department physician^[31]

Debates

Host
network! rowspan="2"

Date	Link(s)	Participants
Hiral Tipirneni (D)		Debbie Lesko (R)
KAET	March 26, 2018	^[32]	Invited	Invited

Predictions

!Source!Ranking!As of

The Cook Political Report^[33]		March 2, 2018
Inside Elections/Rothenberg Political Report^[34]		February 28, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[35]		March 14, 2018

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Debbie Lesko (R)	Hiral Tipirneni (D)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College^[36]	April 19–22, 2018	400	± 5.2%	align=center	49%	43%	–	8%
Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni)^[37]	April 14–16, 2018	408	± 4.9%	44%	44%	–	11%
Emerson College^[38]	April 12–15, 2018	400	± 5.2%	45%	align=center	46%	4%	5%
OH Predictive Insights^[39]	April 11, 2018	500	± 4.4%	align=center	53%	43%	–	4%
Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni)^[40]	March 3–6, 2018	400	–	align=center	48%	34%	–	18%

Results

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona, 2018#District 8
• Arizona's 8th congressional district

External links

• Video of March 26, 2018 debate, Arizona PBS

Official campaign websites

• Debbie Lesko (R) for Congress
• Hiral Tipirneni (D) for Congress

Notes and References

1. News: Congressman Franks resigns . Arizona Capitol Times . December 12, 2017.
2. News: Gov. Ducey sets dates for special election to fill Rep. Trent Franks' seat. KPNX. December 12, 2017. December 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171213132041/http://www.12news.com/news/politics/gov-ducey-sets-dates-for-special-election-to-fill-rep-trent-franks-seat/498561745. dead.
3. Rep. Trent Franks to Resign Immediately After Wife Is Hospitalized. https://web.archive.org/web/20171208205447/http://time.com/5056877/trent-franks-resignation-wife-hospitalized/. dead. December 8, 2017. Time. December 12, 2017.
4. Web site: 2018 Congressional District 8 Special Primary and Special General Election Information. Arizona Secretary of State. December 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193141/https://www.azsos.gov/sites/azsos.gov/files/2018_special_election_information.pdf. December 12, 2017. dead. mdy-all.
5. News: Franks' immediate resignation puts monkey wrench into special election . Arizona Capitol Times . December 12, 2017.
6. News: Legislature's lawyers says "resign-to-run" not triggered. Bob Christie. The Associated Press. December 14, 2017.
7. News: Yvonne Wingett Sanchez . Ronald J. Hansen . Steve Montenegro faces calls to quit congressional race; backers largely mum . February 21, 2018 . The Arizona Republic .
8. News: Arizona Special Primary Election Results: Eighth House District. The New York Times.
9. News: Updated: Here's Everyone Who's Running To Replace Trent Franks . December 12, 2017 . December 13, 2017 . Phoenix New Times.
10. Web site: Brenden Dilley for Congress – Vote February 27, 2018 in Arizona District 8's Special Election. Brenden Dilley for Congress . 2017-12-24.
11. Web site: The Amazing YourVoice America Hosts! – YourVoice America. https://web.archive.org/web/20220401102909/http://www.yourvoiceamerica.tv/the-hosts/. dead. April 1, 2022. Your Voice America. en-US. 2017-12-24.
12. News: Ronald J. Hansen . Debbie Lesko is officially running for Congress for Trent Franks' seat. December 20, 2017. The Arizona Republic.
13. Web site: Tweets with replies by Phil Lovas (@PhilLovas) . https://web.archive.org/web/20200606033204/https://twitter.com/PhilLovas/status/940986130060791808. dead. 2020-06-06. Twitter.
14. Web site: 12-18-17 Briefs. archives.mcrcbriefs.org. December 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051527/http://archives.mcrcbriefs.org/2017/12/12-18-17-briefs.html. December 22, 2017. dead.
15. Web site: First candidate certified in race to replace Trent Franks Local azdailysun.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180104192511/http://azdailysun.com/news/local/first-candidate-certified-in-race-to-replace-trent-franks/article_a997b3e3-6bb3-5385-b5e2-22ab10868c60.html. 2018-01-04.
16. Web site: Arizona Election Information. apps.arizona.vote.
17. News: Arizona names who could enter the race for Franks' US House seat . KTAR . December 7, 2017 . December 7, 2017.
18. News: Rep. Franks resigning after discussing surrogacy with female staff. Brooke. Seipel. December 7, 2017. The Hill. https://web.archive.org/web/20171208110316/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/363880-rep-franks-resigning-after-asking-female-staff-to-be-surrogates-for-his-child/. December 8, 2017. live.
19. News: Ronald J. Hansen . Yvonne Wingett Sanchez . Eliza Collins . Dan Nowicki . Trent Franks stepping down from Congress amid complaints from 2 former female staffers . The Arizona Republic . December 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226123121/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2017/12/07/trent-franks-said-stepping-down-congress/932052001/. February 26, 2018. live.
20. https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/poll-lesko-montenegro-leading-special-gop-primary-for-franks-seat ABC 15/OH Predictive Insights (R)
21. http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20180512141137/https://www.politicopro.com/campaigns/whiteboard/2018/01/cruz-pac-poll-montenegro-lesko-lead-az-08-primary-field-444350 Remington Research (R-Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC)
22. https://www.scribd.com/document/370590501/AZ-08-OH-Predictive-Insights-Feb-2018 ABC 15/OH Predictive Insights (R)
23. https://www.dataorbital.com/the-blog/2018/3/27/majority-of-gop-primary-votersundecided-trent-franks-replacement Data Orbital (R)
24. News: Glendale doctor enters race for Arizona's 8th Congressional District. July 19, 2017. KTAR.
25. Web site: Dr. Hiral Tipirneni for Congress. Kishore. Tipirneni. Hiral Tipirneni. December 27, 2020. November 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191130170846/https://hiralforcongress.com/. dead.
26. Web site: Campaign finance data . Federal Election Commission .
27. Web site: Write-in Canvass Summary Special Primary Election 2018 Congressional District 8 . Maricopa County Recorder's Information Systems Center . April 14, 2018.
28. News: Special election for Arizona's Congressional District 8. 28 February 2018. KTVK. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414092532/http://www.azfamily.com/story/37454320/special-election-for-arizonas-congressional-district-8. April 14, 2018. dead. mdy-all.
29. News: Debbie Lesko Wins Arizona Special Election for Congress, Rallying G.O.P.. Jonathan. Martin. April 24, 2018. April 25, 2018. The New York Times.
30. News: Lesko Wins GOP Primary in Arizona Race to Replace Rep. Trent Franks. Bowman. Bridget. 2018-02-28. Roll Call. 2018-03-01. en.
31. News: Hiral Tipirneni defeats Brianna Westbrook in Democratic Congressional District 8 primary. The Arizona Republic . 2018-03-01. en.
32. News: Lesko vs Tipirneni: Eighth Congressional District Special Election Debate . March 26, 2018 . Arizona PBS.
33. Web site: AZ-08: Republicans Retain Advantage in Special Election. Dave Wasserman. 2022-01-02.
34. Web site: Rating Change: Arizona 8 Special Gets More Vulnerable News & Analysis Inside Elections. Inside Elections . 2018-03-01.
35. Web site: Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 House. Center for Politics . 2018-03-01.
36. https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-az-4.23.18_0.pdf Emerson College
37. https://www.scribd.com/document/376615914/AZ-08-Lake-Research-Partners-D-for-Hiral-Tipirneni-April-2018 Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni)
38. http://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-az-usc8-pr.pdf Emerson College
39. http://createsend.com/t/i-33C06101EB8B015F2540EF23F30FEDED OH Predictive Insights
40. https://www.scribd.com/document/373762648/AZ-08-Lake-Research-D-for-Hiral-Tipirneni-March-2018 Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni)